Tears for Tony: James Gandolfini's son joins heartbroken Sopranos co-stars at actor's funeral to hear widow pay him emotional tribute
- Ceremony was held at Cathedral Church of Saint John the Divine in Upper Manhattan
- The entire cast of HBO's hit series The Sopranos turned out to remember their beloved co-star
- Gandolfini's teenage son, Michael, who found his father dying, wiped away tears as he acted as pallbearer after the ceremony
- His widow, Deborah Lin, thanked her husband for 'the memories of the beautiful life' they shared in a eulogy
- Funeral comes after wake for the star on Wednesday in New Jersey
- The 51-year-old actor died of a heart attack last week in Italy
- Ceremony included a film tribute put together by HBO for the actor's family
James Gandolfini's widow Deborah Lin gave a heart-wrenching eulogy for her 'honest, kind and loving' husband in a New York cathedral today, as throngs of stars turned out to say goodbye to the beloved actor.
The first family member to speak, Deborah Lin described Gandolfini as someone who 'cared more about others than himself' and said she enjoyed watching him be a wonderful father to his two children.
'Jim, one of the things I loved the most was watching you be the father that you were to Michael and Lily,' she said. 'Thank you for the memories of the beautiful life we shared together. I love you Jim and I always will. Rest in Peace.'
Gandolfini's sister Johanna Antonacci and actor Lennie Loftin also did readings during the ceremony, which began at 10 a.m. local time at the Cathedral Church of Saint John the Divine and Sopranos creator David Chase read out a letter he had written to his leading man.
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Family's heartbreak: James Gandolfini's wife, Deborah Lin, pictured center, is seen walking her husband's coffin to the hearse
Comforted: James Gandolfini's son, Michael, is comforted by his mother Marcy Wudarski, left, and other family members
Son: James Gandolfini son, Michael, left, walks his father's coffin out of the church with other pallbearers
Shaken: James Gandolfini's wife, Deborah Lin, has to be held by family members at the funeral of her beloved husband
Tears: Gandolfini's wife, Deborah Lin, son, Michael and ex wife Marcy Wudarski as well as his sister are seen walking the coffin to the hearse
Procession: James Gandolfini's family is seen walking behind the coffin as the funeral service ends
Too sad: Michael wipes away tears as his mother Marcy Wudarski stands nearby following his father's funeral
Gandolfini's son, Michael, who tragically found his father dying in an Italian hotel room while the pair were on vacation last week, wiped away tears and clung to his mother, Marcy Wudarski, and aunt, Leta Gandolfini, after he walked his father's coffin to an awaiting hearse after the service.
Similarly, Deborah Lin was so overcome as she said her final goodbyes to the father of her 8-month old daughter that she had to be propped up by family members at one point. It seemed the emotion of the day had become all too much.
Gandolfini's family, clearly enamored with the man they lost at the age of 51, joined more than 1,000 mourners including Edith 'Edie' Falco, Gandolfini's on-screen wife Carmela in the HBO hit show for the ceremony, which lasted two hours and was described as a 'wonderful' tribute to the star.
Other cast members who came to pay their respects included pregnant Jamie Lynn-Sigler, who played Tony Soprano's daughter Meadow, Aida Turturro, who played his sister Janice, John Ventimiglia, who portrayed Artie Bucco, and Michael Imperioli, who starred as Tony's nephew Christopher Moltisanti.
Tragic: James Gandolfini's wife, Deborah Lin, second from right, his son, Michael and ex wife Marcy Wudarski, left cry after the funeral
Children: James Gandolfini's son, Michael, left, helps walk his father's coffin to the hearse, while a man carries Gandolfini's 8-month-old daughter Lily, right
We've got you: James Gandolfini's sister Leta kisses her nephew, Michael, on the head as his mother Marcy Wudarski stands behind
Embrace: Actress Edie Falco, who played James Gandolfini's on-screen wife, Carmela, in The Sopranos hugs a fellow mourner after the funeral for the actor
Kiss goodbye: Michael Imperioli, who played Tony Soprano's nephew, Christopher Moltisanti, kisses the hand of former co-star Lorraine Bracco, who played Dr. Jennifer Melfi
Wonderful ceremony: Actress Jamie Lynn-Sigler, who played Gandolfini's daughter Meadow, hugs another mourner after leaving the ceremony that was described as 'wonderful'
Baby bump: Jamie Lynn-Sigler shows off her pregnant belly after James Gandolfini's funeral as John Turturro, right, leaves the church following the ceremony
Sombre occasion: Actor Vincent Pastore, who played Salvatore 'Pussy' Bonpensiero, and actress Aida Turturro, right, who played Janice Soprano at New York's the Cathedral Church of Saint John the Divine on Thursday, June 27, 2013
Paying their respects: Actor Steve Carell, pictured, was among the stars who showed up to pay their respects to Gandolfini
Star-studded: Actors Julianna Margulies, left, and Chris Noth, center, leave the star-studded funeral for the beloved actor
All over: Actor Steve Schirripa, who played Bobby Baccalieri in The Sopranos, and New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, right, walk out of Cathedral Church of Saint John the Divine after funeral services for actor James Gandolfini
New Jersey governor Chris Christie came to say goodbye to the man who hailed from his state while Gandolfini fans lined the streets hoping they would also be allowed inside the church to mourn the passing of the great actor.
Family friend Thomas Richardson also shared his memories of Gandolfini with the packed-out church, and praised the actor's son for his bravery after finding his father in the throes of a heart attack.
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'Michael you're every bit as smart and talented as your father. You have shown such strength in this unbearable time,' Richardson said according to The New York Daily News.
'Deborah, Lily there are no words as to how unfair this is. Make sure Lily knows her dad's goodness and generosity.'
He described how every day with Gandolfini was an adventure, whether it was sharing sushi on set or helping New Jersey residents recover in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy.
Pallbearers: Men hold umbrellas as pallbearers walk with a casket containing the body of actor James Gandolfini at Cathedral Church of Saint John the Divine after funeral services for Gandolfini
Crowded: More than 1,000 friends, family and fans filled the cathedral for the service
Leaving the church: Hilaria Baldwin, left, and actress Aida Turturro, who played Janice Soprano, leave the funeral service of James Gandolfini
Traumatic: Michael Gandolfini, left, son of James Gandolfini, arrives for the funeral service of his father, whom he found dead during their Italy vacation last week
Overcome: Jamie Lynn-Sigler, breaks down after the funeral for James Gandolfini, her on-screen father in The Sopranos
On screen wife: Edith 'Edie' Falco, center, best known as Carmela Soprano in The Sopranos, arrives at the Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine for funeral service for her on-screen husband actor James Gandolfini
'He really made the most of every day... In his passing, he is forever with us. Amen.'
The Very Reverend James A. Kowalski praised Gandolfini's superb portrayal of Tony Soprano, though he said it took its toll.
'If a violent gangster could force me to think more about family conflicts ... And the possibility of redemption, maybe there is this thing called hope,' he said, according to the Daily News.
Long time friend Susan Aston spoke of Gandolfini's 'brilliant mind' and thanked the 'teddy bear' whom she said comforted her on many occasions.
'James, my big teddy bear of a friend, I miss you now,' she said, according to the Daily News.
'Thank you for being my friend. Thank you for allowing me to love you. Thank you for loving me. And thank you for loving all of us.'
Stars: Actor Steve Buscemi arrives for the funeral services of James Gandolfini outside the Cathedral Church of Saint John the Divine
Coffin: The casket of actor James Gandolfini is escorted into the Cathedral Church of Saint John the Divine for funeral services in New York June 27, 2013
Actresses: Actresses Edie Falco, second left, and Aida Turturro, right, who played Tony Soprano's sister Janice, arrive for the funeral service of James Gandolfini
Respect: David Chase, with white hair, The Sopranos creator, arrives at the Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine for funeral service
Tragedy: Pregnant Jamie Lynn Sigler, who played his daughter Meadow, emerged from a car wearing a black dress and dark sunglasses
Crowds: Crowds gather for James Gandolfini's funeral at The Cathedral of St John the Divine in New York
Fans: Mourners line up outside the Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine for funeral service for Gandolfini
Governor: New Jersey Governor Chris Christie arrives at actor James Gandolfini's funeral service to pay his respects to the New Jersey legend
The funeral comes after a private wake was held for family and friends on Wednesday in New Jersey.
The 51-year-old died of a heart attack last week while vacationing in Italy with Michael.
Thursday's ceremony was to include a film tribute produced and filmed by HBO for the actor's family, the New York Post reported.
HBO crew members had been mapping out the scene at The Church of Saint John the Divine Cathedral since Monday to shoot a video of the 'Sopranos' cast at the actor's final curtain call.
Cameramen were be posted around the massive cathedral on Amsterdam Avenue and 112th Street, but the footage will not be aired. It will be a private gift to the family from the network, sources say.
Co-stars: Lorraine Bracco, right, best known for her roles as Dr. Jennifer Melfi on The Sopranos, arrives at the Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine for funeral
Friends: Joe Pantoliano, who played Ralph Cifaretto in The Sopranos embraced a friend ahead of James Gandolfini's funeral
Remembering: Joe Pantoliano, right, worked alongside Gandolfini as character Ralph Cifaretto
Emotional: Actors Steve Schirripa, center, who played Bobby Baccalieri in the HBO show broke down at the church as he stood next to John Ventimiglia, who starred as restauranteur Artie Bucco
Peers turn out in force: Jerry Adler, left, who played 'Hesh' in The Sopranos, John Ventimiglia, who starred as Artie Bucco, right, and Steve Schirripa, who played Bobby Baccalieri, far right, were among scores of actors who arrived for Gandolfini's funeral
Baldwin: Actor Alec Baldwin emerged from a car wearing dark sunglasses
Dressed in black: Hilaria Thomas, wife of actor Alec Baldwin, arrives at Cathedral Church of Saint John the Divine as does New York Jets owner Woody Johnson, right
Much love: Actors Steve Buscemi, left, and Michael Imperioli embrace at the funeral for actor James Gandolfini as the late actor's son, Michael, right, arrives
Friends: Actors John Ventimiglia, left who played Artie Bucco, and Michael Imperioli, right, who played Tony Soprano's nephew Christopher Moltisanti chatted before the ceremony
Order of service: The cover of the Order of Service for the funeral of James Gandolfini is shown ahead of proceedings as actors including Dan Grimaldi, who played twins Philly and Patsy Parisi in The Sopranos
Junior: Actor Dominic Chianese, who played Corrado 'Junior' Soprano, Tony's uncle, arrives at Cathedral Church of Saint John the Divine
'HBO is running the show,' a source said. 'They’re paying for everything.
'They originally wanted the cast members to file in through the front door, but it would have created [chaos], so now they’re going to escort them to private property and they’re going to walk in through the side.'
Both Gandolfini's widow Deborah Lin and his first wife Marcy Wudarski were among the mourners at Wednesday's wake.
It was invitation-only wake and held at the Robert Spearing Funeral Home in Park Ridge, near Westwood where the 51-year-old grew up.
Meanwhile, Broadway theatres in New York City dimmed their marquee lights on Wednesday night in memory of the late Soprano star, who earned a Tony Award nomination in 2009 for his role in the award-winning God of Carnage.
Fans: Stephanie Solano, right, and her daughter Sophia wait in line outside Cathedral Church of Saint John the Divine ahead of the funeral service for James Gandolfini
Flowers: A police officer directs traffic as an SUV full of flowers pulls up to the Cathedral Church of St. John The Divine on Thursday morning
NYPD: Police officers directed traffic out front of the church
His two loves: James Gandolfini's widow Deborah Lin and his ex-wife Marcy Wudarski are devastated as they arrive at a wake in New Jersey on Wednesday for the late actor
Sad occasion: Friends and family gather to remember the late Sopranos star at this intimate wake
Meanwhile, Gandolfini's former Sopranos costar Lillo Brancato Jr. spoke about his shock at the actor's passing.
Brancato is currently serving a 10-year prison sentence at Hudson Correctional Facility in New York for his role in a robbery that left a police officer dead.
'I couldn’t believe my ears,' Brancato told The New York Daily News. 'I thought it was a mistake.'
Gandolfini and Wudarski divorced in December 2002, and their 13-year-old son Michael allegedly found his father's body after he died.
Wudarski and Gandolfini endured a turbulent separation and divorce but are thought to have grown closer over shared custody of their boy during recent years.
On August 30, 2008, after two years of dating, Gandolfini married former model Lin in her hometown of Honolulu, Hawaii.
Fatherless: James Galdofini's 8-month-old daughter Liliana Ruth Gandolfini is carried in to the wake
Terrible day: Gandolfini's first wife Marcy endured a turbulent split from the star but they bonded over their 13-year-old son
Somber: Leta Gandolfini, sister of James Gandolfini's arrives at the funeral home with other family members
Their baby daughter Liliana Ruth Gandolfini, was born in October 2012 in Los Angeles.
Meanwhile, in Barcelona, the first showing of Gandolfini's work in crime-drama Animal Rescue was greeted with a reverential silence and respectful applause.
A top Searchlight executive introducing Animal Rescue tells international theater owners, 'we are all very deeply saddened and feel very honoured to have worked with him.'
Animal Rescue is the last film the actor shot before his death on June 19 in Italy.
Respect: The flag hung at half mast for the popular star
Paying tribute: Broadway theatres dimmed their marquee lights on Wednesday in honour of the late Sopranos star
Unusual sight: The usually brightly lit Broadway strip appeared solemn and quiet
Gandolfini, who plays a bar owner in the crime drama, stars with Tom Hardy and Noomi Repace.
'We were all very deeply saddened and feel very honoured to have worked with him. This was the last film he shot,' Fox Searchlight International executive vice president of marketing Rebecca Kearey said.
Hardy plays the lead character in Animal Rescue, written by Dennis Lehane.
The film tells the story of a bartender who gets mixed up with the Chechen mob, a release date has not yet been set.
'WE ARE BROTHERS': SOPRANOS CREATOR DAVID CHASE PAYS TRIBUTE TO HIS LEADING MAN
Hitfix TV Critic Alan Sepinwall attended Gandolfini's funeral and transcribed the eulogy given by Sopranos creator David Chase, who was asked to speak on behalf of the cast and crew of the show.
Chase described his nervousness about giving the eulogy, which was written as a letter to the actor.
'I asked around, and experts told me to start with a joke and a funny anecdote. "Ha ha ha,"' he said.
'But as you yourself so often said, I'm not feelin' it. I'm too sad and full of despair. I'm writing to you partly because I would like to have had your advice.
'Because I remember how you did speeches. I saw you do a lot of them at awards shows and stuff, and invariably you would scratch two or three thoughts on a sheet of paper and put it in your pocket, and then not really refer to it. And consequently, a lot of your speeches didn't make sense.
'I think that could happen in here, except in your case, it didn't matter that it didn't make sense, because the feeling was real.'
Chase recalled a day on the Sopranos set where Gandolfini repeatedly slammed a refrigerator door instead of opening and closing it as per the script directions.
'And so we finally had to call cut, and we had to fix the refrigerator door, and it never really worked, because the gaffer tape showed on the refrigerator, and it was a problem all day long. And I remember you saying, "Ah, this role, this role, the places it takes me to, the things I have to do, it's so dark."
And I remember telling you, 'Did I tell you to destroy the refrigerator? Did it say anywhere in the script, "Tony destroys a refrigerator"? It says "Tony angrily shuts the refrigerator door." That's what it says. You destroyed the fridge.'
Chase said the two connected because of their shared heritage, both being from Italian-American New Jersey families with blue collar backgrounds.
He mentioned seeing Gandolfini during the shooting of the pilot episode with his slacks rolled up to his knees and a wet hankerchief on his head, which made him think of his father and Italian uncles and grandfather doing the same.
'When I said before that you were my brother, this has a lot to do with that: Italian-American, Italian worker, builder, that Jersey thing — whatever that means — the same social class. I really feel that, though I'm older than you, and always felt, that we are brothers. And it was really based on that day.'
Once, when Gandolfini was experiencing a 'crisis of faith' about himself, he told Chase that he wanted to be a man.
Chase said: 'I saw you as a boy — as a sad boy, amazed and confused and loving and amazed by all that. And that was all in your eyes. And that was why, I think, you were a great actor: because of that boy who was inside.'
He recalled how nice Gandolfini was to fans and photographers in the street before he would 'do too much' and then 'snap'.
Chase recalled the actor's charity work with Wounded Warriors and finished by reciting lyrics from Joan Osbourne's song One of Us as he described how he would film the situation if it were a Sopranos episode, with Tony Soprano boarding a bus to get home from being lost in the Meadowlands while the song played over the scene.
Read the full eulogy here
Sorely missed: James with his wife (far right), son Michael and a friend (far left) in Italy before he died
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